Solid shank pawl pin with redundant locking system

ABSTRACT

Apparatus comprising and methods relating to a quick disconnect pin having a locking member, a first body segment and a second body segment wherein the first and second body segments are rotatably coupled to each other, and relative rotation between the body segments about an axis causes translation of the locking member relative to the axis of rotation.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of Provisional Application No.60/470,721, filed May 16, 2003, herein incorporated by reference in itsentirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to quick disconnect pins,particularly quick disconnect pins for use in lug and clevis typeapplications, and more particularly to quick disconnect pins used inaerospace and aircraft structural applications, specifically to thehardware necessary to mount engines, auxiliary power units or otherstructural sub-assemblies to corresponding attachment points in theairframe.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The service environment and readiness of combat aircraft require quickinstallation and removal of engines and similar sub-assemblies from theaircraft. This operation must be performed at the depot level or in thefield, and the personnel involved in the operation may be encumbered byhazardous or extreme environment protective equipment like special suitsand gloves. For these reasons, quick disconnect attachment pins used insuch instances should not require special tools and should be capable ofbeing installed or removed by a single operator.

Structural attachment points commonly used in aircraft construction areof the lug and clevis type, or a variation thereof. The lug and cleviselements typically have an internal diameter lined with internalbushings. Internal bushings serve to line and protect the underlyingstructure or roller bearings commonly found in these locations.Installation of the engine or sub-assembly requires that these lugs anddevises be brought into alignment so that a pin (clevis pin) can beinserted through the internal diameter and secured in place. Removal ofthe engine or sub assembly is the reverse of the mounting procedure.Jacks support the weight of the engine or sub-assembly while the lugsand devises are aligned to facilitate insertion or removal of the pin.

Clevis pins previously used in these applications are typically threadedfasteners like shear bolts and nuts, tapered solid pins, or expandablediameter fasteners. Threaded fasteners, by the nature of the threads, donot meet need the need for quick disconnection. Expandable diameterfasteners, even though they are quickly installed, are found to bedifficult and time consuming to remove.

As such, whether heretofore recognized or not, there is a need forimproved quick disconnect pins, particularly pins suitable for use withlug and clevis type joints of combat aircraft.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A quick disconnect pin comprising a locking member, a first body segmentand a second body segment wherein the first and second body segments arerotatably coupled to each other, and relative rotation between the bodysegments about an axis causes translation of the locking member relativeto the axis of rotation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The exact nature of this invention, as well as the objects andadvantages thereof, will become readily apparent from consideration ofthe following specification in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings in which like reference numerals designate like partsthroughout the figures thereof and wherein:

FIG. 1 is perspective view of a first pin embodying the invention.

FIG. 2 is a cutaway view of the pin of FIG. 1 fastening lug and clevistogether.

FIG. 3 is a handle end view of the pin of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a nose end view of the pin of FIG. 1 in a locked position.

FIG. 5 is a nose end view of the pin of FIG. 1 in an unlocked position.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the body pin of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the core shaft, pawl washer, and nose ofthe pin of FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the hat of the pin of FIG. 1.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the handle and spring clip of the pin ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a second pin embodying the invention.

FIG. 11 is a handle end view of the pin of FIG. 9.

FIG. 12 is a cutaway view of the pin of FIG. 9 fastening lug and clevistogether.

FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view of the pin of FIG. 9.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the nose and pawl washer of the pin ofFIG. 9 in an unlocked position.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the nose and pawl washer of the pin ofFIG. 9 in an unlocked position.

FIG. 16 is a schematic view of an aircraft subassembly being coupled toa structural member of a combat aircraft.

FIG. 17 is a partial cross sectional perspective of the button in anunlocked position within the handle of FIG. 12;

FIG. 18 is an exploded view of the actuator sleeve and one end of thepin body of FIG. 12; and

FIG. 19 is a partial cross sectional view of the embodiment of FIG. 12with the actuator sleeve and plunger in a position to implement eitheran unlocked or locked state.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made to the preferred embodiments of theinvention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings. While the invention will be described in conjunction with thepreferred embodiments, it will be understood that these embodiments arenot intended to limit the invention. On the contrary, the invention isintended to cover alternatives, modifications and equivalents, which maybe included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined bythe appended claims. In the following detailed description, numerousspecific details are set forth in order to provide a thoroughunderstanding of the present invention. However, it will be understoodby one of ordinary skill in the art that the present invention may bepracticed without these specific details. In other instances, well knownmethods, procedures, components, and circuits have not been described indetail so as not to unnecessarily obscure the important aspects of thepresent invention.

The present invention is directed to quick disconnect pins that aresuitable for insertion into a hole created by the alignment of lugs andclevises, or similar fixtures, such as found in aircraft enginemountings and similar assemblies, and that are adapted to be locked intoplace without using a separate fastener. Insertion and removal of thepins described herein can be performed at the depot level and in thefield, and can be inserted and removed even when the personnel involvedin the operation are encumbered by hazardous or extreme environmentprotective equipment like special suits and gloves. The pins describedherein do not require special tools, and are capable of being installedand removed by a single operator. Some embodiments of the pins describedherein have two independent means of securing their locking mechanismsto prevent accidental removal, but such means do not preventinstallation and removal by a single operator.

Preferred embodiments of the quick disconnect pins described herein donot require multiple rotations of the pin and/or a fastener to lock andunlock it. As such, a preferred quick disconnect pin is one where therelative rotation of the locking elements to translate the system from a“locked” (engaged) position to an “unlocked” (disengaged and ready forremoval) position is less than 1 turn. In preferred embodiments, therelative rotation to unlock the pin is preferably less than ½ a turn, ismore preferably less than ⅓ a turn, and most preferably is ⅙th of aturn.

Preferred embodiments (such as those of FIGS. 1 and 10) have acylindrical body pin with a shank having a diameter closely matched tothe internal diameter of a particular lug and clevis set defined by aspecific application. It is contemplated that a different shank diameterand/or length will be designed for each application. Each pin has a noseassembly located on one end of the pin and a handle assembly located onthe other end of the pin. The nose assembly has a tapered shape to aidin the insertion of the pin and a locking mechanism (pawl) that rotatesabout a pivot point offset with respect to the center axis of the bodypin, i.e. that rotates between a concentric position and an eccentricposition. Once engaged, the locking mechanism (pawl) bears against theside of the last fitting the pin passes through and prevents removal ofthe pin. The handle end of the body pin, and/or the handle assembly hasa diameter larger than the internal hole diameter of the first fittingthe pin passes through to prevent the pin from sliding to far into orthrough the fitting. The handle assembly includes a latching mechanismthat prevents accidental unlocking of the pin. The handle assembly andthe nose assembly are connected by an internal core pin element thatrotates inside the body pin and transmits, at least when the lockingmechanism is unlatched, torque from the handle assembly to the lockingmechanism in the nose assembly. Other mechanical elements areconveniently positioned to secure the different assemblies in place.

A first pin embodying the invention is shown in FIG. 1-9. In thefigures, quick disconnect pin 1 comprises body assembly 3, nose assembly29, and handle assembly 77. In FIG. 2, pin 1 is shown inserted throughholes 121 and 123 of lug bushing 125 of lug 127 and clevis 129.

Body assembly 3 comprises body pin 5, pivot pin 23, handle retaining pin25, and lanyard pin 27. Body pin 5 comprises a shank 7, a flange 9, anda handle coupling segment 11. Body pin 5 also comprises a central bore13, a drive pin groove 15, a pivot pin hole 17, a handle retaining pinhole 19, and lanyard washer pin hole 21.

Nose assembly 29 comprises nose 31, drive pin 43, core shaft retainingpin 45, lock ring (pawl) 47, core shaft 57, hat 67, and hat retentionpin 75. Nose 31 comprises a central bore 33, a tapered tip 35, a drivepin hole 37, a pivot pin groove 39, and core shaft retaining pin hole41. Lock ring 47 comprises a core shaft cutout 49, a pivot pin hole 51,drive pin slot 53, and retention region 55. Core shaft 57 comprises noseend 59, nose pin hole 61, hat end 63, and hat pin hole 65. Hat 67comprises core shaft receiving portion 69, pin hole 71, and paddles 73.

Handle assembly 77 comprises handle 79, spring clip 91, spring clip pin103, and lanyard washer 105. Handle 79 comprises central cavity 81,access slot 83, pin hole 84, clip coupling surface 85, wrench receivingportion 87, spring clip pin hole 88, and lanyard surface 89. Spring clip91 comprises handle coupling portion 93, flex handle 95, actuator 97with paddle slot 99, and pin hole 101.

Pin 1 is preferably assembled by pushing drive pin 43 into pin hole 37of nose 31, and sliding nose 31 onto the end of core shaft 57 by causingthe hat end to pass through the central bore 33 of nose 31. The nose endof core shaft 57 and the central bore 33 are preferably shaped to matewith each other in a manner that prevents the nose end of core shaft 57from pulling through nose 31. Although core shaft retaining pin 45 willeventually be used to pin nose 31 to shaft 57 in a manner that preventsrelative movement between the nose 31 and shaft 57, inserting the pin isdone at the end of the assembly process. Core shaft 57 is also caused topass through the shaft cutout 49 of lock ring 47, either after shaft 57is passed through bore 33 of nose 31 or while shaft 57 is passed throughbore 33 of nose 31. After the nose 31 and lock ring 47 are in place,body pin 5 with pivot pin 23 in hole 17 is positioned on shaft 57 suchthat pivot pin 23 passes through pivot pin hole 51 of lock ring 47, andinto pivot pin groove 39, while drive pin 43 of nose 31 passes throughdrive pin slot 53 of lock ring 47 and into drive pin groove 15 of bodypin 5. With shaft 57 passing through bore 13 of body pin 5, hat 67having a threaded shaft receiving portion 69 is threaded onto the hatend 63 of shaft 57, at which point holes 71 and 65 are drilled into thehat 67 and the shaft 57, and the hat retention pin 75 is driven intothem to prevent disassembly. Spring clip 91 is coupled to clip couplingsurface 85 of handle 79 such that actuator 97 passes through slot accessslot 83. The lanyard washer 105 is positioned on body pin 5 with lanyardpin 27 in lanyard washer pin hole 21. The handle assembly is thenscrewed onto the threaded handle coupling segment 11 of the body pin 5with paddles 73 of hat 67 position in paddle slot 99 of actuator 97.Once screwed onto the body pin 5, holes 19 and 84 are drilled and handle79 pinned onto body pin 5 to prevent disassembly. At this point,rotation of spring clip 91 on handle 79 causes actuator 97 to rotatewith handle 79. This in turn causes rotation of core shaft 57 which willultimately (once assembly is complete) result in rotation of nose 31 andmovement of lock ring 47. At this stage spring clip 91 is rotated to the“locked position” such that spring clip pin hole 88 is positioned onspring clip pin 103, the nose 31 and body pin 5 are rotated so that thelock ring 47 projects outward to the maximum extent possible, and holes41 and 61 are drilled, and nose 31 pinned to shaft 57 to ensure thatshaft 57 and nose 31 are fixed relative to each other. At this point,assembly of pin 1 is essentially complete.

Once assembled, lock ring 47 can be moved from a “locked” eccentricposition to an “unlocked” concentric position by pushing flex handle 95of spring clip 91 such that it lifts off of pin 103 and causes springclip 91 to rotate around handle 79. This is illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5with the pin 1 being latched in a locked position in FIG. 4, and beingunlocked in FIG. 5. Reversing the process causes the lock ring to movefrom the unlocked position to the locked position with hole 101 ofspring clip 91 and spring clip pin 103 interacting to latch pin 1 in thelocked position.

In moving between locked and unlocked positions, lock ring 47 rotatesaround the center axis of pivot pin 23 rather than the center axis ofquick disconnect pin 1 due to the movement of pivot pin 23 and drive pin43 towards each other as the body pin 5 and nose 31 are rotated on thecenter axis of pin 1. Rotation around pivot pin 23 results in atranslation of lock ring 47 relative to core shaft 57 and also to drivepin 43. Core shaft cutout 49 and drive pin slot 53 are shaped tofacilitate such movement. It should be noted that alternativeembodiments may reverse the functionality of pins 43 and 23 such thatthe drive pin is coupled to the body pin 5 and the pivot pin to nose 31.

Since the body pin 5 cannot rotate relative to handle 79, and nose 31cannot rotate substantially relative to spring clip 91, relativerotation between spring clip 91 and handle 79 results in the samerelative rotation between the body pin 5 and nose 31, and locking andunlocking pin 1 requires relative movement between the handle 79 andspring clip 91. As such, handle 79 includes wrench receiving portion 87so that a wrench or other tool may be used to prevent rotation of handle79 and body pin 5 while spring clip 91 is being rotated around handle79. Thus, pin 1 can be actuated by one person using a wrench in one handand a bare or gloved hand to operate the spring lip with the other.

A second pin embodying the invention is shown in FIGS. 10-15 and 17-19.Quick disconnect pin 201 comprises body assembly 203, nose assembly 227,and handle assembly 271. In FIG. 12, pin 201 is shown inserted throughholes 331 and 333 of lug bushing 335 of lug 337 and clevis bushings 339of clevis 341.

Body assembly 203 comprises body pin 205, pivot pin 223, and handleretaining pins 225. Body pin 205 comprises a shank 207, a flange 209, anactuator sleeve mating portion 211, and a handle coupling segment 213.Body pin 205 also comprises a central bore 215, a pivot pin hole 219,and handle retaining pin holes 221.

Nose assembly 227 comprises nose bushing 229, nose 239, drive pin 249,core shaft retaining pins 251, lock ring (pawl) 253, and core shaft 263.Nose bushing 229 comprises central bore 231, a drive pin hole 233, andcore shaft/nose retaining pin holes 237. Nose 239 comprises a centralbore 241, a tapered tip 243, and core shaft/bushing retaining pin holes245, and body pin extension 247. Lock ring 253 comprises a core shaftcutout 255, a pivot pin hole 257, drive pin cutout 259, and retentionregion 261. Core shaft 263 comprises nose end 265, nose pin holes 267,and handle end 269.

Handle assembly 271 comprises handle 273, plunger 285, actuator sleeve293, actuator 305, actuator sleeve spring 313, plunger spring 315,washer 317, and plunger retention pins 319. Handle 273 comprises bodypin cavity 275, actuator sleeve spring surface 277, plunger cavity 279,actuator slot 281, and wrench receiving portion 283. Plunger 285comprises core shaft receiving slot 287, spring surface 289, handlemating portion 290, and button extension 291. Actuator sleeve 293comprises flange 295, actuator lug receiving groove 297, spring surfaces299 and 301, and body pin mating segment 303. Actuator 305 comprisescore shaft slot 307, and lug 309.

Pin 201 is similar to pin 1, at least in regard to a core shaft beingused to translate torque applied at the handle end into relativerotation of the nose relative to the body pin and into movement of alocking pin between a concentric and an eccentric position. Pin 201differs from pin 1 primarily in regard to how it is latched in thelocked position, but also in regard to how it is assembled.

Core shaft 263 of pin 201 includes a flat segment at handle end 269 andis threaded at the nose end 265. As such, pin 201 is preferablyassembled by inserting core shaft 263 into bore 215 of body pin 205 and,with pins 223 and 249 in place in holes 219 and 233, and with lock ring253 and bushing 229 in place on nose 239, screwing nose 239 onto thethreaded nose end 265 of shaft 263. Since nose 239 is screwed onto shaft263, bushing 229 is included to provide an anchor for drive pin 249 thatneed not rotate as nose 239 is fastened to shaft 263. Nose 239 andbushing 229 will later be pinned to shaft 263. To complete the assemblyof pin 201: plunger 285 and plunger spring 315 are inserted in plungercavity 279; washer 317 is positioned on shaft 263; actuator 305 ispositioned on handle 273 such that lug 309 comprising shaft slot 307extends through actuator slot 281 into body pin cavity 275; actuatorsleeve 293 and actuator sleeve spring 313 are positioned between handle273 and flange 209 of body pin 205; and handle 273 is screwed onto bodypin 205 and then pinned in place using pins 225.

Handle assembly 271 contains two lock latching mechanisms. The first isthe actuator sleeve 293 external to the handle 273 and capable of beingoperated by hand, and the second is the plunger 285. (In an alternativeembodiment, the spring clip of pin 1 could be used in place of theactuator sleeve of pin 2.) The slot 287 of plunger 285 is of adequatedimensions and is positioned to receive the flat handle end 269 of thecore shaft 263. As such, core shaft 263 cannot rotate if plunger 285cannot rotate. Actuator 305 is fixed relative to actuator sleeve 293such that it cannot rotate if sleeve 293 cannot rotate. The flat handleend 269 of core shaft 263 extends through the score shaft slot 307 ofactuator 305. As such, core shaft 363 cannot rotate if actuator sleeve293 cannot rotate.

Since core shaft 263 cannot rotate unless both plunger 285 and actuatorsleeve 293 are able to rotate, the plunger 285 and sleeve 293 can beused to latch the pin in a locked position by ensuring that they do not,when the pin is latched, rotate relative to body pin 5. If they cannotrotate relative to body pin 5, core shaft 263 cannot rotate relative tobody pin 5, and nose busing 229 and nose 239 cannot rotate relative tobody pin 5. Without relative rotation between the components anchoringthe pivot and drive pins, the lock ring cannot be moved.

Plunger 285 is a cylindrical body with a major diameter and a minordiameter. A hexagonal shape is on the center section of the majordiameter (handle mating portion 290) to engage a hexagonal detent 410inside the handle 273. Plunger spring 315 biases plunger 285 such thatit remains engaged with the hexagonal detent 410 unless button extension291 is used to push the plunger 285 further into plunger cavity 279 todisengage the handle mating portion 290 from the hexagonal detent 410.See FIG. 17. The user can press the button extension 291 with a thumb ora tool.

Similarly, actuator sleeve 293 includes body pin mating segment 303which is sized and shaped to mate with the actuator sleeve matingportion 211 of body pin 205. Actuator sleeve spring 313 biases actuatorsleeve 293 towards body pin 205. As such, to disengage hexagonallyshaped segment 303 from hexagonally shaped portion 211, flange 295 isused to pull actuator sleeve 293 away from body pin 205. See FIG. 18.

An end of the handle 273 has a wrenching feature (wrench receivingportion 283 of handle 273) capable of engaging a typical socket wrenchfound in mechanics tool boxes. The plunger 285 is released when a socketwrench is positioned on the end of pin 201. Placing a wrench on the endof pin 201 may be done to resist the torque generated when releasing theprimary lock latching mechanism, i.e. actuator sleeve 293. The twolatching mechanisms are arranged in such a way that releasing onemechanism by itself is insufficient to permit the lock ring to be movedfrom a locked to an unlocked position.

During installation and removal, an operator engages a wrench to the endof the handle 273 and in so doing disengages plunger 285 from the detentof handle 273. See FIGS. 17 and 19. While holding the wrench to preventrotation and displacement of the pin 201, the operator pulls theactuator sleeve 293 out of engagement with body pin 205, and rotates theactuator sleeve 293 about the outer periphery of the handle 273 from anunlocked position to a locked position. The internally located coreshaft 263, slave to the actuator sleeve action, transmits rotation tothe washer like lock ring 253 located within the nose assembly 227 atthe other end of the solid pawl pin 2. The lock ring 253 pivots on pivotpin 223 located off center to the longitudinal axis of the pin 2. Therotation of the core shaft 263 translates into a translation of the lockring 253. The translation of the lock ring 253 is such that when theactuator sleeve 293 moves from an unlocked position to a lockedposition, the lock ring 253 moves from a position essentially concentricwith the axis of the body pin 205, to a locked position where retentionregion 261 of the lock ring 253 extends beyond the circumference of thebody pin 205. The protruding portion 261 of the lock ring 253 creates ashear engagement area to react against any fitting the pin passesthrough to prevent longitudinal displacement of the body pin 205 and tosecure an engine or other assembly in place. The internal hex of theactuator sleeve 293 engages an external hex of the body pin 205 whenreleased, by the operator. When the operator removes the wrench, theplunger 285 automatically engages handle 273 as the wave spring actionof spring 315 displaces the plunger 285 into engagement with the femalehexagonal detent internal to the handle 273.

Unlocking pin 201 for removal is the reverse of the above-describedactions. The operation begins by engaging the wrench into the handlerecess. This action automatically releases the secondary lock by pushingthe plunger 285 forward to disengage it from the hexagonal detent insidethe handle 273. The operator then rotates actuator sleeve 293 with theother hand through an are of approximately sixty degrees to an unlockedposition. See FIGS. 11 and 19. The rotation is transmitted by the coreshaft 263, which is slave to actuator sleeve 293 and the hexagonalplunger 285, to the lock ring 253 at the other end of the pin 201. Thelock ring 253 translates to an unlocked position essentially concentricwith shank 7 of body pin 5. The pin 201 is now ready for removal bypushing/pulling the pin through the fitting hole(s). Removal of thewrench from the quick disconnect pin 201 releases the pressure on thewave spring 315 and the plunger 285 automatically engages the internalhexagonal detent in the handle 273. At the same time, actuator sleeve293 engages the next set of flats in the hexagonal detent of the bodypin 205, so that the pin assembly 201 is also secure in the unlockedposition. See FIG. 12.

In preferred embodiments, one or more visual indicators will make itpossible to visually determine whether a quick disconnect pin is lockedor not, without having to look at the current position of the lock ring.Visual verification is found in pin 201 in regard to the relativeposition of the external spring clip with respect to the externallocking pin on the periphery of the handle, as the relative position ofthe clip to the spring is a good visual indicator of either “locked” or“unlocked” condition of pin 1. In pin 201, two retention pins 319cooperate with the “locked” and “unlocked” labels to provide visualindication as to whether the lock ring is deployed. See FIGS. 17 and 19wherein the button extension 291 is recessed into the handle in theunlocked position when held by the retention pins 319 within the buttonextension groove. Alternatively, pin 201 could be configured such thatplunger would remain pushed into the handle if the lock ring was notdeployed. Still other embodiments might include other types of visualindicators, and/or non-visual indicators to display status. In someinstances, the pin may be adapted to communicate its current state tosome other apparatus, possibly via an electronic signal.

It is contemplated that some embodiments of quick release pins may notinclude a handle assembly or a core shaft. In some such embodiments, anose would rotate relative to a body pin with such rotation being usedto lock and unlock the pin via a lock ring in a manner similar to pins 1and 201. However, the relative rotation would likely result fromdirectly rotating the nose while holding the body pin stationary, orrotating the body pin while holding the nose stationary. Holding the pinand/or nose stationary might require access to both the pin and nose, ormight result from the pin and/or nose interacting with its environmentin a manner to inhibit rotation.

Each of the pins described herein is particularly well suited for use asan engine mount pin that is quickly disconnected to remove an engine orsimilar assembly from an airframe. In a typical application, theinvention fulfills the requirements of a quick disconnect system for theremoval and servicing of jet engines in fighter aircraft, but it canalso be found useful in commercial aircraft and other relatedapplications. Installing and/or removing the pins described herein doesnot require the use any special tools other than what is normally foundin a mechanic's toolbox. The invention has the integrity and strength ofa threaded fastener with the quick actuation of the expandable diameterfastener.

FIG. 16 provides a schematic view of a pin 401 being used to couple anaircraft subassembly 403 to frame 405 via lug 407 and clevis 409.Subassembly 403 may be any type of subassembly including but notnecessarily limited to an engine mount, a hatch cover, a drop out link,and a blade attachment pin. Frame 405 may be replaced by any otherportion of an aircraft. Lug 407 and/or clevis 409 may be replaced by oneor more other fixtures that can be coupled together using a quickdisconnect pin such as those described herein.

As the pins described herein are suitable for use with any fixtures thatcan be coupled together using such a pin, it is contemplated that thepins described herein may be used in other vehicles, and are alsoapplicable to forming non-vehicle assemblies. Examples of some othercontemplated uses include coupling objects in land vehicles, spacecraft, water craft, and other vehicles, as well as coupling objects instationary structures or structures that are moveable but notself-propelled.

The elements of the pins described herein may comprise any material orcombination of materials. However metallic parts are currentlypreferred. Elements shown as single piece units may be replaced withmulti-piece assemblies. The sizes and dimensions of the elements mayvary between embodiments.

Although the quick disconnect pins described herein comprise numerousnovel features that are evident from the descriptions and figuresincluded herein, some features are of particular interest.

It is contemplated that the structures of body pins will vary betweenembodiments depending on the application a particular embodiment isdesigned for. As such, different embodiments will vary at least inregard to shaft length and diameter, with the length and diameter beingsuch so as to ensure a close fit of the body pin in the holes of thefixtures it is to pass through, and to ensure that the body pin extendssubstantially all the way through the holes.

By ensuring that the diameter of the body pin shank closely matches thediameter of the holes it passes through, forces imparted on the pinshank are less likely to be transferred to the lock ring or any otherportion of quick disconnect pin assembly. However, the body pin shankneeds to pass through the holes with sufficient clearance to permitinsertion and removal in extreme environmental conditions. As suchpreferred embodiments will have a shank diameter that is less than orequal to the diameter of the holes it is to pass through. The shank ofthe body pin should be sufficiently long so as to extend through holesbut is preferably not overly long. As such the length of shaft of thebody pin is preferably substantially equal to the distance betweenopposite external surfaces of the fixture (typically a clevis) it is topass through.

The embodiments of the present invention described herein comprisemultiple novel features with each described embodiment including eithera single such feature or a combination of such features. Othercontemplated embodiments include all combinations of one or more suchnovel features not explicitly described herein as such combinations arereadily discernable from the embodiments described. In light of thevarious contemplated embodiments, the present invention can becharacterized in a number of ways with the following paragraphsproviding examples of some such characterizations.

The present invention may be characterized as a quick disconnect shearpin for use in engine support structures of aircraft and similarassemblies. In some instances it may also be characterized as comprisingan automatic internal locking system that is not in the same load pathas the external locking system. In such instances, it may also becharacterized as comprising an external locking system that isindependent from the internal locking system. In the previouslydescribed or other instances, it may be characterized as furthercomprising the components and methods to actuate a locking pawl attachedto the extremity of the shear pin remote to the extremity of the shearpin where the actuation and locking mechanisms are located. In such orother instances it may be characterized as comprising the manufacturingmethods to make an essentially cylindrical spring clip shape with a tabessentially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the pin. In suchor other instances it may be characterized as a manufacturing methodused to manufacture actuator mechanisms with shapes other thanessentially cylindrical shapes.

The present invention may also be characterized as a pin comprising apawl and providing visual indication of whether the pawl deployed ornot.

Another characterization of the present invention is as a quickdisconnect pin comprising a locking member, a first body segment and asecond body segment wherein the first and second body segments arerotatably coupled to each other, and relative rotation between the bodysegments about an axis causes translation of the locking member relativeto the axis of rotation. In such instances the translation of thelocking member may result from rotation of the locking member about anaxis offset from the axis of rotation of the body segments. In suchinstances, the pin may in some instances be further characterized ascomprising a latching mechanism that can be moved between a latched andan unlatched state, and while in the latched state inhibits relativerotation between the body segments. In some instances the pin may becharacterized in that the latching mechanism can be moved from thelatched to the unlatched state by applying at least one force that isnot a rotational force about the axis of rotation of the body segments.Such pins may in some instances be characterized as including a latchingmechanism that is moved from the latched to the unlatched state byapplication of at least two oppositely directed linear forces along theaxis of rotation of the body segments, and in some instances moved fromthe latched to the unlatched state by pushing a first member of themechanism towards the locking member and pulling a second member of themechanism away from the locking member. Alternatively, such pins may becharacterized as including a latching mechanism that is moved from thelatched to the unlatched state by forcing a member of the latchingmechanism biased towards the axis of rotation of the body segments awayfrom the axis of rotation of the body segments, and in some instancesthe latching mechanism forced away from the axis of rotation is coupledto the body segments such that rotation of the member relative to thefirst body segment causes rotation of the second body segment relativeto the first body segment.

The present invention may also be characterized as a quick disconnectpin comprising a nose, a body, and a latching mechanism having at leasta latched and an unlatched state, wherein the nose and body arerotabably coupled together such that, while the latching pin is in theunlatched state, the nose and body can be rotated relative to eachother, and while the latching mechanism is in the latched state, cannotbe rotated relative to each other.

Yet another characterization of the present invention is that it is aquick disconnect pin comprising a body having a central axis, a shaftpassing through the body, and a pawl adjacent to the body, wherein thepawl has a center and is moveable between a first position and a secondposition such that movement from the first position to the secondposition results in the center of the pawl moving away from the centralaxis, and movement from the second position to the first positionresults in the center of the pawl moving toward the central axis.

Still another is that it is a quick disconnect pin comprising a body anda locking member wherein the locking member moves from a locked to anunlocked position by application of a first force to unlatch the lockingmember, and a second force to move the locking member from the locked tothe unlocked position.

The present invention may also be characterized as a vehicle comprisingtwo assemblies coupled together by a quick disconnect pin such that thepin inhibits relative movement between the assemblies, wherein: the pincomprises a locking member, a nose and a body; the nose and body arerotatably coupled to each other, and relative rotation about an axis ofthe nose and body causes translation of the locking member relative tothe axis of rotation; and the locking member comprises at least a firstposition and a second position such that, while in the first position,it inhibits removal of the pin from the vehicle, and while in a secondposition, does not inhibit removal of the pin from the vehicle. In somesuch instances the vehicle is an aircraft, and in some instances, one ofthe assemblies is an engine assembly.

The present invention may also be characterized as a quick disconnectpin comprising a locking mechanism having a locked and an unlockedstated, and a latching mechanism adapted to inhibit the lockingmechanism from transitioning from the locked state to the unlockedstate. In some instances it may also be characterized in having alatching mechanism that is also adapted to inhibit the locking mechanismfrom transitioning from the unlocked state to the locked state.

Another characterization of the present invention is that it is a quickdisconnect pin comprising coaxial members wherein the pin is adapted totransition between a locked and an unlocked state by rotating thecoaxial members about their common axis by less than X degrees relativeto each other where X is one of 360, 270, 180, 90, 80, and 60.

1. A quick disconnect pin comprising: a locking member; a first bodysegment; a second body segment wherein the first and second bodysegments are rotatably coupled to each other, and relative rotationbetween the body segments about an axis causes translation of thelocking member relative to the axis of rotation; and a latchingmechanism which moves between a latched and an unlatched state, andwhile in the latched state inhibits relative rotation between the bodysegments, wherein the latching mechanism is moved from the latched tothe unlatched state by simultaneously pushing a plunger member of thelatching mechanism towards the locking member and pulling an actuatorsleeve member of the latching mechanism away from the locking memberalong the axis of rotation of the body segments to the latchingmechanism, such that translation of the plunger member and actuatorsleeve member enables actuation by rotation of the locking member foreither locking or unlocking of the pin member.
 2. The quick disconnectpin of claim 1 wherein translation of the locking member results fromrotation of the locking member about an axis offset from the axis ofrotation of the body segments.
 3. The quick disconnect pin of claim 1wherein the latching mechanism can be moved from the latched state tothe unlatched state by applying forces that are not rotational forcesabout the axis of rotation of the body segments.
 4. The quick disconnectpin of claim 1 wherein translation of the locking member is accomplishedby a relative rotation of the body members about the common axis by lessthan X degrees relative to each other where X is
 80. 5. The quickdisconnect pin of claim 1 further including a spring assembly forbiasing the latching mechanism to a locked state.
 6. The quickdisconnect pin of claim 1 further including a first spring member tobias the plunger member to a latched state and a second spring member tobias the actuator sleeve member to a latched state.
 7. The quickdisconnect pin of claim 6 wherein each of the first and second springmembers include a set of wavy spring rings.
 8. The quick disconnect pinof claim 1 further including a handle member connected to one of thefirst and second body segments, the plunger member is releasablyretained within the handle member.
 9. The quick disconnect pin of claim1 further including an actuator sleeve connected to one of the first andsecond body segments, the actuator sleeve is releasably mounted over aportion of one of the first and second body segments.
 10. The quickdisconnect pin of claim 1 further including a visual indicator of thelocked state on a surface of the quick disconnect pin.
 11. In anapparatus comprising two assemblies coupled together by a quickdisconnect pin assembly such that the pin inhibits relative movementbetween the two assemblies, when operatively mounted in a hole extendingthrough the two assemblies, the improvement of a pin assemblycomprising: a locking member; a nose; a body, the nose and body arerotatably coupled to each other, and relative rotation about an axis ofthe nose and body causes translation of the locking member relative tothe axis of rotation, the locking member moves between at least a firstposition and a second position such that, while in the first position,it inhibits removal of the pin from the hole, and while in a secondposition, does not inhibit removal of the pin from the hole; and alatching mechanism which moves between a latched state and an unlatchedstate to control movement of the locking member, the latching mechanismwhile in the latched state inhibits movement of the locking member,wherein the latching mechanism is only moved from the latched to theunlatched state by pushing a plunger member of the latching mechanismtowards the locking member and pulling an actuator sleeve member of thelatching mechanism away from the locking member, such that translationof the plunger member and actuator sleeve member enables actuation byrotation of the locking member for either locking or unlocking of thepin member pushing a plunger member of the latching mechanism towardsthe locking member and pulling an actuator sleeve member of the latchingmechanism away from the locking member, such that translation of theplunger member and actuator sleeve member enables actuation by rotationof the locking member for either locking or unlocking of the pin member.12. A quick disconnect pin comprising: an elongated pin member having anose assembly at a first end of the pin member; a locking member isrotably mounted at an off-center position in the nose assembly from acenter axis of the pin member; a handle assembly operatively connectedto a second end of the pin member, the handle assembly is operativelyconnected to the locking member to enable rotation of the locking memberfrom an unlocked state to a locked state; and a latching mechanism whichmoves between a latched state and an unlatched state to control movementof the locking member, the latching mechanism while in the latched stateinhibits movement of the locking member, wherein the latching mechanismis only moved from the latched to the unlatched state by movement of afirst member and a second member by a user, the first member and secondmember are biased to a latched state and must be moved against theapplied bias to enable the unlatched state wherein the user cansubsequently rotate the locking member to one of the unlocked state andthe locked state when in the unlatched state, wherein the first memberincludes a button member spring-biased to extend from the handleassembly and the second member includes a flanged member spring-biasedto contact the pin member, such that the flanged member is pulled tounlock the pin member and the button member is pushed towards the handleassembly to unlatch the latching mechanism and enable actuation byrotation of the locking member for either locking or unlocking of thepin member.
 13. The quick disconnect pin of claim 12 wherein the lockingmember has a non-circular opening to enable an off center rotation. 14.The quick disconnect pin of claim 13 wherein the nose assembly has adrive pin engaging a drive pin cutout extending radially outward fromthe non-circular opening.
 15. A quick disconnect pin assemblycomprising: a pin member having a nose assembly at a first end of thepin member; a locking member is movably mounted in the nose assembly tolock and unlock the pin member; a core shaft member extends through thepin member for moving the locking member; a handle assembly isoperatively connected to a second end of the pin member including ahandle member and a plunger member mounted to the handle member forrelative movement wherein the plunger member is released from engagementwith the handle member when moved in a first direction and is held tothe handle member when moved in a second direction wherein the coreshaft member is in a first latch position when the phage member isbiased to the handle member by a first spring member; and an actuatorsleeve member mounted for relative movement with the pin member whereinthe actuator sleeve member is held to the pin member when moved in afirst direction and is released from engagement with the pin member whenmoved in a second direction wherein the core shaft member is also in asecond latch position when the activator sleeve member is biased to thepin member by a second spring member, wherein the first latch positionand the second latch position are released when the plunger member andthe actuator sleeve member are pulled towards each other against thebias of the respective first spring member and second spring member toenable actuation by rotation of the locking member for either locking orunlocking of the pin member.
 16. A quick disconnect pin assemblycomprising: an elongated pin member having a nose assembly at a firstend of the pin member; a locking member is rotably mounted about anoff-center position in the nose assembly from a center axis of the pinmember; a core shaft member extending through the elongated pin memberfor rotating the locking member; a plunger member operatively connectedto the core shaft member; a handle assembly operatively connected to asecond end of the pin member including a handle member, the plungermember is mounted in the handle member for relative movement wherein theplunger member is released from engagement with the handle member whenmoved in a first direction and is held to the handle member when movedin a second direction wherein the core shaft member is in anon-rotatable state when the plunger member is held to the handlemember; and an actuator sleeve member mounted for relative movement withthe pin member wherein the actuator sleeve member is held to the pinmember when moved in a first direction and is released from engagementwith the pin member when moved in a second direction wherein the coreshaft member is also in a non-rotatable state when the activator sleevemember is held to the pin member, wherein both the plunger member andthe actuator sleeve member must be moved to released positions to enablerotation by the user of the locking member.